| Author |
 Replies: 32 / Views: 4,109 |
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
Hi all, hoping for some advice again on price. This is the only image that I have of the coin so I apologize for its crumby quality! (I don't have the other side either by the way). I tried using a screen save twice with two different techniques to see if one's better than the other. It's simply listed as 'caligula'. Any (very rough...) ballpark of what you think that it'd be worth? I'm still hoping for my first Caligula...this is a local auction so it makes customs, pick-up, etc. much easier! Mark   Edited by markbaer
08/12/2015 11:38 am
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
Im not sure its genuine, it might be a cast fake. is there one of the reverse?
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Could really use better pictures including one of the reverse.
|
|
Valued Member
 Canada
242 Posts |
I've emailed the auction to ask for the reverse but no response so far... That's all that I have unfortunately. The auction starts in an hour and forty minutes. I'll post if there's any reply.
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
They just replied...I should have something shortly to post, hopefully before the start auction!
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
Looks like I won it for $200 canadian (plus 18% plus tax...)
I guess that ill find out... ill post when I receive it
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
The picture is beyond lousy but it looks to have some excellent potential.
What troubles me somewhat is I am seeing the profile of Augustus while the legend is clearly Caligula.
The reverse is going to be very important.
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
I'm hoping for the best. That picture is through a clear coin holder that it's in.
It's ex 'World Treasure Bureau' if that means anything...? This is from auctions ontario again - there are a few coins that pop up every and then, but it's certainly not really a coin auction.
Edited by markbaer
08/13/2015 02:12 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
I look forward to seeing your own pics of this.
I just looked at this again by the clear light of morning on my phone.
The pic is of such quality that it is better viewed on a small screen. Assuming the reverse is comparable to what I can see of the obverse I believe you may have gotten a great deal. This also assumes the coin to be the real deal ! Which may be assuming a lot !
Dutch purchased a museum quality Caligula last year for which he paid a not insignificant price. I reassured him that if he didn't buy it I would !
He has no regrets ! High quality first century Roman bronze is always good to have !
$200 Canadian translates to $154 U.S.
High quality first century bronze for under $200 U.S. is a 'no brainier'.
Edited by FVRIVS RVFVS
08/13/2015 07:28 am
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
Thanks FR - I'm pretty excited about this one...! (if it turns out to be real of course).
They had a few other coins in the auction, but nothing that jumped out, at least to my amateur eyes!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
Just for comparison I dug up some old pics of Augustus and Caligula. Early in his 4 year reign Caligula was immensely popular and was often compared by his flatterers with the great Augustus in his 'supposed' good looks ! Here in the Worcester Art Museum we have one of the very few intact busts of Caligula. Very high prominent forehead, thin tapered nose and extremely thin lips. Roman portraiture while usually highly realistic (warts and all !) will often in the early parts of a reign will emphasize a family resemblance. I am optimistic that you may have scored an early Caligula that resembles his 'grandpa' Augustus. Tiberius had hung around too long and left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Tiberius besides becoming quite paranoid had been a notorious skinflint ! Not the best way to "win friends and influence people". I will keep my fingers crossed but the similarity to Augustus makes me slightly more optimistic that you scored a goal with this one. A relatively late (AD 11) portrait of Augustus. As he was quite old at this time (and probably toothless) the likeness must be from decades earlier. Very prominent (distinguished) "Roman" nose.  Caligula generally displays the very high forehead and the artists almost always show the lips quite thin and a peculiar curvature. Almost like he is whistling a tune !  |
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
Very interesting...thanks for the background!
My wife and I are walking around Split, Croatia today, and just came back from dinner at a place next to Diocletian's palace...I would post a pic if I had the necessary cable. I was hoping that there would be some coin shops, but so far, nada...I'm assuming that it must not be legal here to sell ancient historical artifacts. Too bad, but I guess that they're simply protecting their history.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
You might have to visit the Croatian equivalent of someone with a name like Vito.
My wife is from Albania (not too far away) and buried treasure is a very closely held 'family' type of business.
You can get to meet some very interesting people.
Stick to having a nice lunch at a seaside restaurant !
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
hah good to know...!
I had read an article recently about Bulgaria and the looting that goes on there...apparently if you're 'ok' with breaking the law, it's a gold mine for antiquities.
There are some countries where it is legal, though, at least on private land. If I had a few hundred thousand dollars burning a hole in my pocket, it would be interesting to buy some acreage to metal detect (and 'investment'...or so I'd rationalize!).
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
Im really curious how it will turn out for you! Fingers crossed. This is the coin Furius was talking about: I'm still really happy with it!   |
|
Valued Member
Canada
242 Posts |
Thanks dutch...! I feel like I'll either be really happy, or it'll be a hard lesson learned!
Beautiful coin btw...!
|
| |
Replies: 32 / Views: 4,109 |
Posted 08/12/2015 3:03 pm
